"How do you know where you're going?" Rex huffed.
He was either really out of shape or they turned him into a human while in captivity. Maybe both.
"The idiots didn't blindfold me and I left myself clues." I point at the ground when we pass a piece of my shirt. "You didn't think I actually wore crop tops now, did you?"
Rex laughed then coughed. He clutched at his ribs. Probably broken. He didn't release Augur's hand for a moment though.
"What's a crop top?" Augur asks innocently.
"A short shirt that shows your stomach." I point to my shirt. "Some people think this is a good shirt."
"But it's so small!" He laughs.
"Exactly." I smile at him. His laugh is contagious. "Not much further now."
A howl rips through the air and it sounds like utter despair.
"Alpha!" I cry.
"Regina?" Rex asks grabbing my shoulder with his free hand.
"No. The other one." I shrug off his heavy hand. "Regina married Indicum of Blue Gene Clan."
"That was his howl?" Rex asks.
"Yes." I nod thinking.
"Then that must mean something happened to Regina." Rex scoops Augur up and starts to run.
I follow closely behind. "She was pregnant, due any day now."
We stop when we break the tree line. A battle had clearly taken place but only our pack members were out and about.
"Did we win?" Rex asks.
"How am I supposed to know? I was stuck with you two remember?" I scoff.
"What happened daddy?" Augur tugs on Rex's shirt.
"Not sure yet pup. Let's go find out."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My eyes were heavy but I willed them open. Where was I? I'd just had my beautiful baby girl when an attack happened. Did I die? I sit up abruptly and my head starts to swim.
"You're awake." A shiver ran the length of my spine.
My head turned slowly in the direction of the voice I knew all too well. "Ignis."
"Did you get my note?"
"You are delusional if you ever think I'm letting you touch me in that way." I growl, or at least try to.
*Praesul?!*
Nothing…
"Tsk, tsk. I thought you might say something outlandish due to your hormones."
Excuse me, my what?! I seethed in my mind. I didn't want to add fuel to the fire. Yet.
"The anklet you wear basically turns you into a human. No Praesul. No werewolf hearing or strength…"
"Wait, why?" I gasp.
"So you can learn to appreciate our life together. Be grateful for what you are given. All in due time, you will beg me to touch you." His arousal filled the air and I gagged.
"I have just had a child…" I try to reason with him.
"The doctor said you only need about 10 days to heal and should be ready for another pup. I'm to refrain from being completely intimate with you during that period. That is unless your heat comes before the 10 days are up." His smile looks like a caricature.
"Ignis, this isn't you. They've poisoned your mind or something. You're under some kind of spell."
"Save your breath. I'll be back in the morning." He caressed my cheek before turning and leaving the room.
The hell if he thinks I'll still be here in the morning.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Alpha?"
"Alpha."
"Alpha!"
As we passed the throng of pack members a lot of them recognized me as their Alpha. I nodded and smiled to some. I'm sure my disheveled appearance didn't help their murmured suspicions. Amongst the warriors were a lot of unknown faces.
Suddenly I'm hugged by a tall sturdy kid.
"Is it really you Alpha Rex?"
"Aether?" I smile hugging him back.
"Oh a hug! I want one!" Augur smiles.
Aether turns to Augur and hugs him too. "You must be Augur. I've heard so much about you."
"What am I chopped liver?" Niveus stands a little ways away with her arms crossed over her chest.
Aether's eyes roam her body hungrily. Wait, it couldn't be? He takes off his shirt and puts it over Niveus' head.
"The hell-"
"Wear a proper shirt next time you get kidnapped."
"I was wearing a proper shirt! I had to use pieces of it to leave myself a trail back home."
"You couldn't have foreseen that you'd need something to leave traces of? You should've carried a pocket full of rocks."
"The only thing full of rocks is your head!"
Over the course of their argument they'd drifted together like magnets. Aether was a good foot taller than Niveus but if her looks could kill… R.I.P. Aether.
"Where's Indicum?" I cut through their bickering.
"In the main house with Serenity."
"Who's that?"
"Indicum and Regina's daughter."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Alpha, you've got a guest."
I nod and leave Serenity sound asleep in her bassinet.
In the foyer, I see Niveus and two others standing with Aether.
"Thank goodness you're alright." I smile as I approach them. "Did you find her Aether?"
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Of course he didn't." Niveus snapped. "I found them though."
She gestures to the man and the child. They look oddly familiar.
"Indicum. It's me, Rex. This is my son Augur." Rex was holding a young boy in his arms.
"Basileus?" I asked in confusion. If it was him, he was in dire need of a shower and shave.
"The very same." He smirked.
The boy turned his face toward me and my breath caught. "You look just like your mother."
He blinked his green eyes and they turned silver. "Where is my mother?"
I turned away, unwilling to see his reaction. "She was taken."
"How long ago?" Rex says with worry.
"Four days ago." I sigh shoving my hands in my pockets. "Look, I know you returning from the dead or whatever complicates things but I don't care. I just want to find Regina and return her safely back home."
"Agreed." Rex says, putting Augur down.
"Can we meet Serenity?" Niveus chimes in.
"She just went down -"
"Even better!" Said Niveus with glee.
"She's with a few other children." I protest.
"I know, just take us there." Niveus snaps, her eyes white.
"Chill." I smile. "Let's go, quickly and quietly."
I pause Rex as the others walk up the stairs. "I am glad you're alive old friend."
We grin to one another before ascending the stairs together.